Denis Naughten
Question:146. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of Ireland’s first clean-air strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47191/22]
View answerTuesday, 8 November 2022
Questions (146)
Written answers
A public consultation on the draft Clean Air Strategy was undertaken during the period March to May of this year and over 100 submissions were received. The strategy is now being reviewed and updated to reflect both the outcome of the consultation process and significant policy interventions which have been made in the intervening period to improve the quality of our air. Given the health imperative associated with the burning of solid fuels for domestic heating purposes, the introduction of the new solid fuel regulations has been prioritised. The Air Pollution Act 1987 (Solid Fuels) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 529 of 2022) introduce minimum quality standards that apply to all solid fuels distributed throughout the State. This will ensure that the most polluting can no longer be made available on the Irish market and will assist the public in transitioning to less polluting alternatives. These regulations are a central plank of the Clean Air Strategy which will now be published early next year. The strategy will outline how we will enhance and protect the air we breathe, and set out a pathway, based on a comprehensive cross-Government programme of policies and measures, that will tackle all sources of air pollution. As such, it will also need to consider the impact of the forthcoming Climate Action Plan and new proposals at EU level for a revised Clean Air for Europe Directive.